Grounds for Everyday Smiles
A Space for Small But Potent Ideas
Just Listen:
Today is powerful.
A string of moments is always right before us, yet so easy to look past. Today, I’m reminded just how easy it is to take today for granted. I’m living in how easy it is to stress over tomorrows that may never come or daydream about futures I hope would arrive. The stresses and daydreams both fill my heart with anxiety. The stresses seem all too likely to come while the daydreams seem like they never will.
And yet, there’s today.
It’s here.
Right in front of me. Not ideal, but it’s still good. What a terrible lie I’ve believed that today has to be perfect to be enjoyed. That perfection is the only soil fertile enough to sprout joy. Survey says…that’s a lie. So much of life has been filled with joy, and so little of it perfect. So, I’ll stop flipping over today’s seat cushions, searching for perfection and the ideal. I’ll stop looking for the fulfillment of my daydreams and make every moment the most fulfilling one I can imagine. I’ll use every resource at my disposal to ensure I don’t leave any joy behind on my plate. I won’t let joy drop in these seat cushions.
I so desperately want to fill up on love…and life in every interaction and conversation.
In this way, my life becomes this scavenger hunt where I’m determined to track down and gather up all these rogue pieces of joy shattered into a thousand pieces spread across today!
Today is powerful.
Not perfect.
So few of my smiles have ever come from experiencing perfection, so I won’t hold the corners of my mouth hostage waiting around for it.
Peace
This is the first entry of my Grounds for __________ series. I wanted to have a place to process some of the ideas that have been locked away in all of the Field Notes Journals I’ve been keeping for the past few years. Just a quick word on a Saturday morning to create a space for small, but potent ideas to take root in our souls. Would love to hear about some of your everyday smiles!
Hey hey now! The line … won’t hold the corners of my mouth hostage, did what it needed to do, I smiled! Many times when I can smile or laugh I can forget pain and trick my brain into seeing feeling better. The bigger the cool aid smile the better! It’s scientifically proven and heart health proven!
Love the idea of scattered pieces of joy. It’s hopeful and expectant. A scavenger hunt forces you to be aware of the present, allowing you to see and embrace these moments of joy. I like it! Imma hold on to this. Thanks John:)